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New York. March, 1917-

18.
Twelve hours of work on the cast of the madonna group, "Mother and Son", and finishing the bust of Mrs. Tudor Gardiner (both for the Boston Art Museum Show), left me too tired to care, when the Limited drew out of the Back Bay Station. 

20.
20,000 leagues under the Sea...
Dear Margot Paulding meets me at the Grand Central, & puts me to bed at the Park Avenue Hotel, amazed at the optimism with which I surveyed the Vanderbilt studios and their possibilities -

23.
Two days I rested in bed, under the orders of my madonna.  But the fourth night in the studio was so enlivened by pleasure parties at 3. am in the street, by clanging cars, hooting motors and rumbling ash-cans - for I was just above the street,- that I had to return to the hotel for a few more nights of sleep.  

29. 
Tonight, I try the studio couch again; for Sonia Kortz, the Russian actress (Chris Scopoff), is posing for me for a panel relief early in the morning.  she had brought Bolm, the Russian Dancer; who said he would pose for the other panel.

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He knows lots of sculptors ^[[in Paris]]; but Sonia says, it is extraordinary that he should pose for anyone...

I have just heard that is ill; hurt his back in a fall on the stage six months ago; and the doctor says it is very serious.  S. fears he has not long to live... but I must not depress him, as he is like a child... I would do a head, if he must not stand; but his charm, vigorous type interests me; fresh, not subtle and effeminate like Nijinsky.

The studio looms dim and ghostly, with the two huge mirrors reflecting an endless gallery, where statues dimly shine ...  The stone madonna in the centre bends towards the boy; and a lily bends towards her, brought by Elsie Stevens.  She came three times, since I met her at the wedding in Philadelphia of her brother Theo to my cousin.

She brought two of her friends, The Viennese one, and Mrs Randolph (Bella Carter.)  She told Mrs. Vanderbilt to come; wants me to have a real show here...